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The Premier League Thread!
- Thread starter MOFS
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Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
I didn't really expect that...Fulham must be pleased but that was really a must-win game for both teams after the start both have had.
gauchogolfer
macrumors 603
Fabregas continues his good play today, with a goal and assist against Portsmouth. 3-1 Arsenal. 😀
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
Portsmouth had a few good chances near the end and Arsenal missed a close header (can't remember the player). Should have been 4-3 instead of 3-1, but Lehmann wasn't playing so shots were actually being blocked. 😉
XIII
macrumors 68040
Pleasing result today despite Phil being sent off.. which is a bit frustrating. And Chelsea losing 2-0. Yeah Cashley you ****, Chelsea can go the season unbeaten I'm sure. Only 49 more to go to equal our record.. 😱 Second in the league only on goal difference, with a game in hand on the guys behind. Feeling good. 🙂
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
People sneered when Rafa said Liverpool were going for the title, but they have the deepest squad of the top four and with Man U's striker crisis and poor start I think Liverpool are very well situated.
Did you see Kanu's "goal"? He was so surprised it went in he didn't even celebrate...😀
Did you see Kanu's "goal"? He was so surprised it went in he didn't even celebrate...😀
Jaffa Cake
macrumors Core
The KC will be full of folk just coming to have a gawp at Chelsea. Already we've had a few phone calls and texts from people who have no interest in City whatsoever, to see if there's any chance we can get our hands on some tickets for them. 🙄
Zero chance of that happening in the League Cup, in any case. 😛 😉
swiftaw
macrumors 603
I was really impressed by Villa today, they seem to have bags of pace up front, and Laursen at the back was rock solid.
Ashley Young looked very good on the left wing, perhaps he should get that job for England this week with Joe Cole moving to his more natural right side of midfield.
Ashley Young looked very good on the left wing, perhaps he should get that job for England this week with Joe Cole moving to his more natural right side of midfield.
Markleshark
macrumors 603
Well I'm fairly happy. Only 2 points behind now (Even though Liverpool and Arsenal have a game in hand) and for the second game in a row United won after performing badly. Thats a sign of a good team, right? At least thats what everyone says when Chelsea win after being *****...
XIII
macrumors 68040
Markleshark
macrumors 603
So true. Jose predicting a more open title race this year I see. Not going to happen, by Christmas it'll be 3 or 4 teams again... I bet you can't guess which ones...
Jaffa Cake
macrumors Core
It's the unpredictability that makes it so exciting will it be Manchester United or Chelsea this year? 😉
I think it would be great if Liverpool can keep up their promising early form and actually (and finally) win the league, if only because it's a change. I've long given up on the idea of anyone other than the top four lifting the trophy because it just ain't going to happen, at least not without massive new investment in one of the other clubs.
XIII
macrumors 68040
Everyone has pretty much given up on the idea of anyone but Chelsea or United winning really.. I would love to be up there come the end of the season, it would prove so so many people wrong. However I don't think we have enough to win it. Out of the other 3, I hope Liverpool can do it.
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
So do I. 😉
I think Liverpool has improved the most out of the big four and has the strongest squad - they are also the least hit by injuries.
But I have to say that as more clubs start investing money and improve the big four will drop more points - and perhaps the top half of the table will improve to the point that the big four aren't as dominant anymore.
Jaffa Cake
macrumors Core
Possibly but don't forget either that the top for have a huge financial boost as a result of their year in, year out involvement in the Champions League. Unless an incredibly wealthy investor comes forward and ploughs a fortune into a Tottenham or a Newcastle then cracking the top four is going to be no mean feat, on a regular basis at least.
Anyway, must dash the mighty Tigers are on the telly in 15 minutes. 😎
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
I think that a change in the top four would have to involve a crisis in a big club coinciding with big spending at a mid-table club. it could happen, though I agree it's a tall order.
XIII
macrumors 68040
Spurs were a team a lot of people thought would break into the big 4 this season. I'm pretty worried about that happening. Where are they again at the moment? Are they in the top 4 yet? Also, did they win on Saturday? They were 2 goals up with 15 minutes to go, so they must have got the 3 points. Surely.
Markleshark
macrumors 603
Now, now. I know your an Arsenal fan. 😉 Still, I ****in hate Liver [Ohhhhh, look at us, we beat Derby and are now the champions of England] pool, so I'll let you off.
For the record however, Spurs have made the same start to this season as they did the last. So it's not all bad for them. I do think teams will be closer to the top 4 this season, are not going to break into it though, by quite a long shot id say. We'll have a few go close, Pompy, Newcastle, etc (Blackburn anyone?) but Id say United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool will be safe this season round.
Out of the teams in the top four. Well, it's early, but remember those United-Arsenal times. I can see it again. Liverpool think for some strange reason the Champions League is the only thing worth winning, so they'll go for that, and as Jose aint won it, I can see him going for that as well. They'll plough too many resources into the Champions League this season and will drop off once it starts. Saying that, looking at the players United have bought I can see that happening to us as well. Untied have been pooooooor in Europe last few seasons and I can see Sir Alex wanting to improve that, but I think Sir Alex will look for the big number 10 and retire. We've made good signings, signings which look to building a team rather than buying it (Even though they we're expensive) so I think we'll be ok, even if not this season.
A lot of credit has to goto AW tho. I really thought he'd bought poorly over the summer, especially with Henry departing for pastures new, however a lot of players seem to have stepped it up to the plate. Maybe Henry wasn't helping in the dressing room anymore? Especially as his wife says his behavior was behind their divorce, that made me think as well.
It is still so early though, but it's been a very indifferent start to the season as a whole I think, ask me again at Christmas. 🙂
For the record however, Spurs have made the same start to this season as they did the last. So it's not all bad for them. I do think teams will be closer to the top 4 this season, are not going to break into it though, by quite a long shot id say. We'll have a few go close, Pompy, Newcastle, etc (Blackburn anyone?) but Id say United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool will be safe this season round.
Out of the teams in the top four. Well, it's early, but remember those United-Arsenal times. I can see it again. Liverpool think for some strange reason the Champions League is the only thing worth winning, so they'll go for that, and as Jose aint won it, I can see him going for that as well. They'll plough too many resources into the Champions League this season and will drop off once it starts. Saying that, looking at the players United have bought I can see that happening to us as well. Untied have been pooooooor in Europe last few seasons and I can see Sir Alex wanting to improve that, but I think Sir Alex will look for the big number 10 and retire. We've made good signings, signings which look to building a team rather than buying it (Even though they we're expensive) so I think we'll be ok, even if not this season.
A lot of credit has to goto AW tho. I really thought he'd bought poorly over the summer, especially with Henry departing for pastures new, however a lot of players seem to have stepped it up to the plate. Maybe Henry wasn't helping in the dressing room anymore? Especially as his wife says his behavior was behind their divorce, that made me think as well.
It is still so early though, but it's been a very indifferent start to the season as a whole I think, ask me again at Christmas. 🙂
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
Benitez has already made it clear he's going to concentrate on the league, and if he holds to his word I think he has a good shot. 6-0 against Derby means nothing and it's still early, early days but their scoring potential looks much stronger than last year. As much as I like Crouchy, Torres looks to be the future of Liverpool's offense.
Chelsea have won the league twice and came within a hair's breadth of doing it again last year, so I think Mourinho may go after European spoils this season.
Manchester United have had a poor start but Ronaldo will be back and I expect them to continue to win. They will challenge for the league but if Liverpool and Arsenal continue to win games they may just have gotten the head start they need for one of them to beat Sir Alex's side.
Arsenal looked great against Pompey - even after having a player sent off they played like they were full strength...I wonder how many gunners will still be talking about TH14 next spring, or if Wenger will have convinced with his lineup.
Chelsea have won the league twice and came within a hair's breadth of doing it again last year, so I think Mourinho may go after European spoils this season.
Manchester United have had a poor start but Ronaldo will be back and I expect them to continue to win. They will challenge for the league but if Liverpool and Arsenal continue to win games they may just have gotten the head start they need for one of them to beat Sir Alex's side.
Arsenal looked great against Pompey - even after having a player sent off they played like they were full strength...I wonder how many gunners will still be talking about TH14 next spring, or if Wenger will have convinced with his lineup.
XIII
macrumors 68040
There is certainly a degree of some of the younger players performing better without Henry here, but I don't think you can ever say we are better off without him. No team could really be better off without a player like him. He is my clubs top goal scorer ever, and he is an Arsenal legend - he always will be. He said something along the lines of his marriage was falling apart, and he had to leave everything English behind, including unfortunately his wife and the club he loves a week or two after he moved.. It would be interesting to find out what went on. I do honestly believe him when he said all the stuff about how much he loves Arsenal, and his leaving interview/message he gave to the Arsenal fans was pretty emotional and meant a lot to a lot of gooners I think.. However much other fans think it is ******** designed to soften the blow of his leaving. Anyway, enough about Henry.
Liverpool will certainly not focus too much on the Champions League. Rafa knows that the scousers want the league more than anything at the moment, and I believe that will be a clear priority for 'pool. Chelsea, United and us are going to be more drawn in by the Champions League I think. United and Chelsea have the depth to be able to compete on all fronts, but I fear we may **** the season up by competing on too many fronts. Looking at it that way, it may be a good thing if we go out of the Carling Cup and/or FA Cup early. Wenger strongly believes the FA Cup was to blame for our season falling apart in February last season, and he had made it fairly clear he thinks he should've played the kids in that too, along with the Carling Cup. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a lot of kids in those two domestic cups this season, we don't have the depth anywhere else. Personally, I want to win the Champions League more than anything else, I want to win it very very badly.. partly because its the only major trophy Arsenal haven't won, and partly because of my personal experiences (2005/6, the highs of Real Madrid, Juventus, that penalty save by Jens - then Paris.. nuts emotional trip that was!). Chelsea will feel a lot of pressure to get to a first CL final too.
I have more thoughts on the Premiership etc., but I must give someone a call now.. stay tuned for more irrelevant boring jabber from me soon.
Liverpool will certainly not focus too much on the Champions League. Rafa knows that the scousers want the league more than anything at the moment, and I believe that will be a clear priority for 'pool. Chelsea, United and us are going to be more drawn in by the Champions League I think. United and Chelsea have the depth to be able to compete on all fronts, but I fear we may **** the season up by competing on too many fronts. Looking at it that way, it may be a good thing if we go out of the Carling Cup and/or FA Cup early. Wenger strongly believes the FA Cup was to blame for our season falling apart in February last season, and he had made it fairly clear he thinks he should've played the kids in that too, along with the Carling Cup. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a lot of kids in those two domestic cups this season, we don't have the depth anywhere else. Personally, I want to win the Champions League more than anything else, I want to win it very very badly.. partly because its the only major trophy Arsenal haven't won, and partly because of my personal experiences (2005/6, the highs of Real Madrid, Juventus, that penalty save by Jens - then Paris.. nuts emotional trip that was!). Chelsea will feel a lot of pressure to get to a first CL final too.
I have more thoughts on the Premiership etc., but I must give someone a call now.. stay tuned for more irrelevant boring jabber from me soon.
Jaffa Cake
macrumors Core
I still maintain though that the deal Arsenal got for a 30-year old with injury problems was a spectacular bit of business. Hopefully they can invest that money wisely and get a few good players in who can challenge for honours in the years to come.
Anyway, bloody hell. I'll say it again, bloody hell. We lost 2-1, the winner coming from substitute and former Tiger Ben Burgess – me and Miss Jaffa Cake agreed when he came on that he'd get the winner. Even more worrying though was the fact that our new record signing Caleb Folan was stretchered off in a neck brace and whisked straight off to hospital half-way through the second half after a nasty collision with Blackpool's Kaspars Gorkšs. 🙁
aloofman
macrumors 68020
Yet another road game that they let get away, just like last year.
One of the better games I've seen from Robinson in a while though. He's England's Number One, right? I forget and I can't remember hearing about it recently. 🙄
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
I dunno, lots of people seem to think he's England's Number Two, if ya know what I mean...😀
Jaffa Cake
macrumors Core
One thing that I forgot to mention about our match... sat watching the game next to our chairman was former Bolton player and Nigerian international Jay-Jay Okocha, is is rumoured to be on the verge of signing for us. When asked about it after the match, our manager Phil Brown said that Okocha had completed a medical and would hopefully be competing a deal in the next few days. 😱
This better not be another Juninho... 😱
This better not be another Juninho... 😱
XIII
macrumors 68040
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